Care home set to close after ‘prolonged low occupancy’

Pitmurchie House care home in Aberdeenshire said it had become 'financially unviable' to stay open.

Care home set to close after ‘prolonged low occupancy’ Stanley Howe

A care home in Aberdeenshire has begun the process of closing after it became “financially unviable” to stay open.

Pitmurchie House care home in Torphins said it has experienced “a prolonged period of low occupancy”, as well as challenges in staff recruitment.

The 31-bed home, run by Advinia Healthcare, is now working with Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership to “ensure a smooth transition” for residents.

A statement said: “We regret to announce that we have begun the process of consultation to close Pitmurchie House care home, in Torphins, Aberdeenshire.

“It has sadly become financially unviable to keep the 31-bed care home open following a prolonged period of low occupancy.

“We are now working with our partners at the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) to ensure a smooth transition for our existing residents.

“We appreciate that this will be a difficult time for some residents, and we will do all we can to support them.

“The home has also faced significant challenges in recruiting sufficient numbers of qualified staff and we envisage that this will only get harder as we fully exit the EU later in the year.”

Iain Ramsay, AHSCP partnership manager for South Aberdeenshire, said: “Our local care management teams will continue to work with the staff and management at Pitmurchie along with residents and their families to ensure that there is a smooth transition to any new placements.”

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